What’s in a name? We really want to know… ~Page
When Martha and I started Nelle & Lizzy, we would have to say we really did not realize the impact our rings would have on some families. We wanted to design a simple but sophisticated piece of jewelry that would remind the wearer of the people they love. As the years have gone by, we receive emails and phone calls from people who tell us their stories of how their rings hold special meaning to them. I think the first story that had the biggest impact on us was from a man whose wife was dying of cancer. He needed the ring rushed because his wife had requested that instead of being buried with her wedding ring she wanted one of our rings with the names of her children. He wanted to present it to his wife before she passed. You can imagine what that story meant to us.
Then, at the end of last month, we got the following email from a mother: “I realize from the outset that sending a fan letter to a jewelry company is a bit odd. But, here it is. Today my husband and I mark the 13th anniversary of our daughter’s death. My husband purchased my triple ring for Mother’s Day last year. It has the name of ALL three of my kids. You cannot imagine what this ring means to me. I show it to everyone. Throughout the year, I talk with moms who grieve, and now I always tell them about your rings. There something healing about having that name visible to everyone. Thank you for being a significant part of my healing.”
We posted on Facebook last month that every week we stamp hundreds of rings and charms and often wonder who the name represents. Many people posted adorable pictures of their kids and it was really fun to see. This is the audience that we originally designed the rings for — mothers of cute kids. It is just an added bonus that our line can hold such a special place in some people’s lives. Thanks for sharing! We really think about the stories behind the rings and hope that every piece we send out will have a special meaning to someone.
It’s true that you have no idea what an impact your rings can have on people. I ordered a ring with my new daughter’s name last year in the late spring/early summer. She had a bad case of colic (or so we thought) and it had been a rough first few months. While I was waiting for the ring to arrive, I just had this feeling that there was something more than colic going on and I took her to a different pediatrician for a second opinion. That day we were admitted to the hospital and so began a 10 month ordeal of battling an form of cancer that no one had ever seen. After that initial check in, we were in various hospitals for almost two weeks before getting to go home. When I did get to take her home before she started her chemo treatments, your ring was waiting for me. I wore that ring on my finger (and continue to) through 10 months of watching my 4 month old go through 4 rounds of three week chemo, 6 surgeries, and two stem cell transplants. I can’t tell you how many times I just stared at her name on that ring – especially while I was in isolation with her during her stem cell transplants for almost two months. I’m happy to report that she is now finished with treatment and in remission. It’s hard to believe that almost a year ago they told us she may only have weeks to live and now she’s almost fifteen months old. I treasure the ring you made for me with her name!
I bought my ring last year as a mothers day present to my self.. Little did I know at the time.. My child would be deployed to Iraq with the Marine Corps.. It has meant so much to me and the sister that his name is entwined with.. to look at this ring and say our prayer for him every day.. There are moments that this is the only thing that gets me thru is staring down at my hand holding and twisting it back and forth.. remembering the small little blonde haired boy who has become a big strong Marine.. fighting for our country.. Thanks so much for my ring.. I am so proud to wear it..